Biden visit will close Fairfield's Jefferson Street

FAIRFIELD -- Fairfield Police say that Jefferson Street in the town's north end will be closed today between 2:55 and 4:30 p.m. because of today's visit of Vice President Joe Biden.

Also closed in that time frame will be both entrance and exit ramps of northbound Merritt Parkway Exit 46, which intersects with Jefferson Street.

The VP visit is planned for 3 p.m.

Weeping Willow Lane, a small side street off of Jefferson Street, will also be affected by the closures, police say.

Traffic on the Merritt will not be affected, although there might be a slowdown as drivers approach the closed Exit 46 from the south.

Jefferson Street runs between Easton Turnpike (Rt. 59) and Park Avenue. Notre Dame High School is on that street, along with the Jewish Home for the Elderly.

Biden has a couple of stops planned in Connecticut today with Sen. Chris Dodd and Rep. Jim Himes.

Biden will appear at a fundraising lunch for Himes in Greenwich, then head over to the Merritt Parkway for the event with Dodd at 3 p.m.

The vice president is expected to tout Dodd and Himes for bringing federal stimulus money to Connecticut, including funds for $70 million in improvements to the Parkway.

Himes is serving in his first term in Congress, while Dodd has been struggling with low poll numbers and faces a potential Democratic primary. Five Republicans have also announced plans to seek the GOP nomination.